MLB Player News

Carpenter (back) was a late addition to Tuesday's lineup.

There were reports that Carpenter was doing much better and could even come off the bench later in the game, but it seems as if manager Mike Matheny felt so confident in his health that he slotted the infielder back into the starting lineup. He'll take over for Greg Garcia as the leadoff hitter and second baseman.

Carpenter (back) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.

Although Carpenter will be forced to sit after leaving Monday's game with back tightness, he told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com that he's feeling "good" and will be available off the bench Tuesday. The Cardinals are facing a lefty on Wednesday (Jon Lester) and manager Mike Matheny could always opt to play it safe and hold Carpenter out once again, but it doesn't sound like Carpenter is in danger of missing extended time.

Pederson is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees.

Pederson holds a measly .100 batting average against lefties on the season, so he'll head to the bench with left-hander CC Sabathia toeing the rubber for New York. Enrique Hernandez will take over in center field in his stead.

Ozuna (knee) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Braves, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

Ozuna was removed from Monday's game with a bruised knee, but he will be able to get back on the field just a day later. As he has done regularly of late when healthy, he will man right field and hit fifth in the Marlins' batting order.

McCutchen went 0-for-3 Monday and has one hit in his last 17 at-bats.

He's drawn seven walks in six games, but his batting improvement -- he posted an .851 OPS from Aug. 5 to Sept. 6 -- has waned in the last week. McCutchen's lackluster defense has also continued to haunt the former NL MVP, who will turn 30 years of age in October. He's under contract through next season with an option for 2018, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Pittsburgh look to move McCutchen either in the offseason or during the 2017 campaign.

Carpenter exited Monday's game against the Cubs in the seventh inning with tightness in his back, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter ultimately had three unsuccessful at-bats Monday, with two strikeouts, before Matt Adams came in as a replacement at first base. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but Adams and Brandon Moss seem to be the top candidates to fill in if Carpenter requires added time off the diamond.

Turner went 1-for-5 with a solo home run on Monday against the Yankees.

Turner has now homered in consecutive games, giving him 27 for the season. The third baseman got off to a sluggish start this season, but has settled down to post a .269 average to go with his home runs. The powers surge has been unexpected for Turner, who had just 31 career home runs coming into the season.

Ozuna was removed with a left knee contusion Monday for precautionary reasons, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

With expanded rosters, the Marlins had no reason not to play it safe with Ozuna. But if the injury is indeed just a contusion, we should expect Ozuna to be back on the field relatively quickly. Consider him day-to-day for now, but chances are high he'll be in the lineup Tuesday as Miami's series against the Braves continues.

Carpenter will hit third in the Cardinals' batting order Monday against the Cubs.

Manager Mike Matheny used Carpenter in the three-hole for a week in mid-October only to move him back into the leadoff spot, but the Cardinals will give the experiment another shot. Kolten Wong will replace Carpenter atop the order Monday night.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Padres.

Blackmon took Edwin Jackson deep in the fourth inning for his second home run of the series and 25th of the year. After threatening 20 homers in each of the past two seasons, Blackmon has elevated his power numbers this year thanks to a 39.0 percent fly-ball rate and 15.7 percent HR/FB ratio -- both career highs. The power boost has helped fuel his .313/.374/.532 batting line, numbers that make Blackmon appear miscast as a leadoff hitter, especially since his stolen-base total has declined from 43 last year to 16 this year.